Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Do you know what you are saying?”
None of those from the Elixir Divine Valley was happy. Jiang Chen had just announced he would challenge the ten people from the Elixir Fire Union, including them, alone.
Although they did not know how Jiang Chen had managed to refine a holy level Retaining Youth Elixir, as alchemists, they all knew it depended a lot on luck. Besides, since Jiang Chen did not use any technique, they did not know how good he was at all.
They were afraid of Chen Xi, but it did not mean they could stand such shame.
“It’s a deal!” The pretty woman from the Elixir Fire Union said immediately. She had never wanted to quit the competition. Seeing Jiang Chen make things more difficult for himself, she was quite delighted.
Those from the Elixir Association hesitated. Jiang Chen had disclosed the secret of those from the Elixir Divine Valley so that they did not have to give the Elixir Fire Union their techniques. However, Jiang Chen’s offer also pushed them into a dangerous situation.
All of a sudden, those from the Elixir Fire Union whispered into the pretty woman’s ear. The pretty woman, who had been very confident, hesitated. Jiang Chen changed the rules. Maybe he had some skill that he had not shown yet.
“Say yes!” Those from the Elixir Divine Valley were irritated when they saw the Elixir Fire Union hesitating.
“Elixir Association, what do you think?” The pretty woman knew what she was facing was a big gamble. If she did not agree, this day’s hard work would be wasted. That was why she did not air her opinion immediately. She preferred to know what the Elixir Association thought first.
Those from the Elixir Association all looked toward Elder Zhuge, waiting for his instruction.
“That’s too risky,” Yan Ruyu said in a low voice.
Although she had seen Jiang Chen’s performance with her own eyes, she still could not believe he could achieve what he had claimed.
“Jiang Chen, are you sure about this?” Elder Zhuge could not make the decision. The risk was not worth taking if it was only to save face. However, Jiang Chen had made the offer without consulting him first, which put him in a tough spot. Elder Zhuge realized something as soon as he asked the question. He thought to himself, Jiang Chen isn’t a reckless guy. He said it without consulting me because he didn’t want to be stopped.
“Elder, trust me.” Jiang Chen’s answer was as expected.
“Then it’s okay for the Elixir Association,” Elder Zhuge said.
The crowd was shocked. They thought the Elixir Association very daring for having agreed to such a risky plan.
Then it was the Elixir Fire Union’s turn to air their opinions.
The pretty woman’s demeanor kept changing. Sizing Jiang Chen up, she was trying to figure him out through his handsome face. However, she was disappointed.
“No problem.” Gnashing her teeth, the pretty woman agreed. She did not have any choice.
“Jiang Chen.” At this moment, Chen Xi could not help but step forward. She was shooting him a warning glance. She was the one who had arranged the tests. She apparently knew it was impossible for Jiang Chen to complete the next two rounds alone. However, as the host, she could not say anything to remind him.
“No problem! We agree.” Detecting something from Chen Xi’s face, the pretty woman repeated immediately. Afraid there would be another change, she said, “I hope the Elixir Association won’t give us another excuse!”
By then Jiang Chen could not regret his decision anymore. Looking at Chen Xi, he slightly shook his head. “Okay. Let’s start then.”
Chen Xi sighed to herself. Then, walking back to the fire pits on the square, she sprinkled something with her fair hand. People saw sparkling dots like stars falling into the fire pits.
The Elixir Fire Union and the Elixir Association were both confused. They had no idea what the test was about yet. However, Jiang Chen already knew what those stars were. And he realized Chen Xi had tried to warn him out of good intentions. In the second test, it would even be strenuous to finish one person’s task. Not to mention that he would have to deal with the ten people from the Elixir Fire Union, which meant ten people’s work.
Fortunately, he was the Elixir Saint. In this life, he could control fire on his own, because of which he was fearless.
“The second test is called Growing Lotuses in Fire.”
“I’ve put the dregs of the Holy Lotus Elixirs into the fire pits. When the fire is on, you should turn the dregs into holy lotuses before the fire goes out.”
Chen Xi looked toward Jiang Chen with guilt and pity after introducing the second round.
However, those from the Elixir Divine Valley were quite excited about the news. They were beaming. The Holy Lotus Elixir was very famous in the Seventh Realm. Great alchemists used its dregs frequently to train their apprentices.
Different from subduing the little fiery burning man, growing lotus in fire is more difficult and more complicated. They would have to do a delicate job in the burning fire to control the dregs, which were even smaller than pieces of sand. And this was the most basic thing. It was much more difficult to turn the dregs into lotuses.
“Ha, ha, ha.”
Even those who had heard Growing Lotus in Fire for the first time in their lives looked shocked. However, the pretty woman could not help but burst out laughing.
The second round would not be like the elixir refinement in the first round, in which there was not a time limit, and the ten furnaces could be left to others to watch. In this round, they would have to finish the test before the fire went out and they would need to be very focused.
Jiang Chen announced he would compete against ten people alone without knowing what the next two rounds were about. This was too bad for him.
“We are doomed.” Those from the Elixir Association were all downcast. Elder Zhuge also shook his head. He believed Jiang Chen was able to refine ten furnaces of elixirs. However, the second test was beyond his imagination.
Best of three. If they lost this round, there would be no next round.
“Jiang Chen has really gotten himself into trouble this time.”
“He is too arrogant. He certainly has to pay for it.”
“I thought he had something with the Elixir Emperor’s descendant and he knew something we didn’t know. That’s why he talked big. But that isn’t the case.”
People kept talking about it. The Elixir Association’s supporters could not help but shake their heads. They were sure Jiang Chen did not anticipate this either. They could tell from his facial expressions. He looked very concentrated, frowning.
“Jiang Chen, I’m sorry,” Chen Xi said to him through holy awareness. She felt really guilty about what she was putting him through. To host this competition, what mattered to her was fairness. That was why she had not told Jiang Chen anything.
Jiang Chen smiled at her, meaning it was not her fault.
“He can still smile!”
Those from the Elixir Fire Union kept smiling coldly. Even the morons knew the huge advantage they had.
“The Three Middle Realms isn’t a place for you to do whatever you want. This place connects the Three Lower Realms and the Three Upper Realms. It’s packed with talented people. You’ve reached your limit.”
As an onlooker, Ning Haotian was the least surprised person there when Jiang Chen had offered to compete with ten people alone. He smiled coldly at what Jiang Chen was facing at the moment.
No one knew what kind of achievements he had gotten during this time. He had not participated in any competition yet, but he was already arrogant enough to look down on Jiang Chen, who was standing in the limelight.
“Alchemists, let’s start.” Those from the Elixir Divine Valley yelled. They came up to their fire pits respectively.
It was a strong contrast that Jiang Chen was facing ten fire pits alone.
Chen Xi threw him another glance. Showing a sad face, she pinched her palm.
Instantly, hot waves tumbled into the 20 fire pits specially built for this day’s competition. Then the fire surged. Three meters high, it was releasing non-stop energy.
On closer inspection, people could see star light sparkling in the fire pillars, like some fairies were dancing in the fire, and there were so many of them.
The ten people from the Elixir Fire Union stepped forward. They were trying their best to get a lotus from the fire.
“Ha, ha.”
And Jiang Chen was facing ten fire pillars alone. He looked as if he did not know where to start. It was so hilarious that people could not help but laugh.
“This is embarrassing. He has talked too big.”
“He tried to pretend how capable he was, but now all of his shortcomings are being revealed.”
“He deserves it!”
